Recipes

One of the largest concerns with adding peanuts to a beer centers on the slick and unpleasant mouthfeel contributions and impedance of head formation/retention due to peanuts’ significant oil content. When compared to other eating nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews, pine nuts, etc.), peanuts share a similar profile to another nut used commonly in brewing, the hazelnut.

My recipe is a bit old school since I’m not using the latest sexy hop varieties. I’m just using good old Centennial, which was first called a “Super Cascade” when introduced. It has many of the same characteristics, like citrus, grapefruit, and pine. It’s like talking to an old friend.

Rudgate Viking won Silver in the Bitter category in 2002 and is described as “An initially warming and malty, full-bodied beer, with hops and fruit lingering into the aftertaste.” The data I have for this beer is OG: 1.039. Malt bill: 90% Halcyon pale malt, 10% crystal malt. Hops: Fuggles, Northdown or Challenger, Goldings. Late hops: Goldings. IBU: 24. EBC: 24–30.

Bateman’s XXXB Bitter won Gold in the Premium Bitter/Special Bitter/Strong Bitter category in 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1997. It is described as “A brilliant blend of malt, hops and fruit on the nose with a bitter bite over the top of a faintly banana maltiness that stays the course. A russet-tan brown classic.” From this I would suggest a yeast that provides a fruity character. The data I have for this beer is: OG: 1.048–1.049. Malt bill: 72–87% Pipkin or Maris Otter pale malt, 7.5–12% crystal malt, 0–3% wheat flour, 15–18% invert sugar. Hops: Challenger, Goldings. IBU: 37. EBC: 40–42.